SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in South Africa

About R148,242 a year, before tax. That is about R12,353 a month. Then the work, the skills, and a free assessment if you want to know whether it fits.

  • CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator)
  • Central Communications Specialist
  • Communications Operator
  • Communications Specialist
  • Information Specialist
  • PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator)
  • Switchboard Operator (SB Operator)
  • Switchboard Receptionist (SB Receptionist)
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What is a switchboard operators, including answering service?

Switchboard Operators, including those working in Answering Services, are professionals responsible for managing incoming and outgoing calls in a variety of settings, such as offices, hospitals, and call centers. Their primary function involves connecting callers to the appropriate parties while providing essential information and assistance. These operators utilize multi-line telephone systems and various telecommunications technologies to ensure efficient communication between callers and recipients. In addition to handling calls, Switchboard Operators may take messages, schedule appointments, and provide general information about the organization they represent. With the rise of voicemail and automated systems, the role has evolved, but the demand for personalized customer service and effective communication remains vital in many industries. Overall, switchboard operators play a crucial role in maintaining seamless communication and ensuring customer satisfaction in both professional and emergency scenarios.

What the work actually is

  • Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
  • Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
  • Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
  • Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
  • Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Administrative Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Working with Computers

Tools used on the job

Tools

  • Premise branch exchange PBX systems Premise branch exchange PBX equipment · Telephone switchboards
  • Photocopiers Copy machines
  • Paging controllers Paging systems
  • Video monitors Video surveillance monitors
  • Inkjet printers Computer inkjet printers

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

The Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service guide


Compare this with Customer Service Representatives, Office Clerks, General and Public Safety Telecommunicators, which pay a similar kind of salary in South Africa.

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Questions people ask

How much does a switchboard operators, including answering service earn in South Africa?

The average Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in South Africa is about R148,242 a year, before tax. A typical range is R118,547 to R198,069 a year.

What is a switchboard operators, including answering service?

Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address, Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary and Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.